Keith made his way down the sidewalk after work feeling great. The sun was out, blue skies, not a cloud in sight. Maybe he would take Lance to the beach. He definitely wanted to see him in some swimming trunks. He walked into the Black Lion Brew to grab another coffee before heading home. Pidge greeted him warmly as he walked in.
"Hey guys, Can I get grande 2 Caramel Macchiatos iced please. " He ordered pulling out some cash.
"How's Lance? Think he;s coming back soon? It's too quiet here without him" Hunk asked preparing two cups.
"I think he's just as anxious to come back. He should be back tomorrow hopefully" Keith smiled at him. He paid and went to wait for the coffees. Once finished Pidge scooted over the drink carrier holding both drinks.
"Give him our best!" She called as he left. Keith raised a hand in farewell as he headed across the street to his hotel. He was already feeling a bit more excited to finally get home. Now that Shiro was out of the picture Lance could be so much happier and more himself. He walked to the elevator and pressed his floor number. He hummed softly as he rode it up to his floor. He exited the elevator walking down the hallway, his steps light with excitement. Maybe the weather was causing all this burst of happiness. He got to his door and pulled out his key card before scanning it. Once the lock clicked he opened the door and walked in shutting it behind him. He turned around and froze. The drink carrier fell from his hand the two coffees bursting on the floor. In front of him laid the body of the boy who had been sleeping soundly a few hours previously. His naked body bruised and crumpled on the floor, his face covered in blood and a small pool of it by his head. Keith couldn't breath and back against the door. He's dead. Oh my god he's on my floor dead. Keith covered his mouth trying to hold in the bile that rose in his throat. He calmed down his nausea and came up to him slowly before crouching down next to him..
"Lance?" He asked his voice barely above a whisper. He was scared to touch him but he gently touched his face surprised with the warmth of it still. He immediately placed two fingers on his neck and felt his heart leap feeling a pulse.. It was faint but it was there.
"Oh thank god" He cried wiping his eyes and pulling out his phone with trembling fingers. He dialed 911 and prayed they would answer soon.
"911, what's your emergency"
It had been a few hours since Keith discovered Lance's body. Keith was sitting in the waiting room with Pidge and Hunk as they waited to hear news. The police questioned all three of them and they all knew what happened. Keith had left him alone and Shiro had found him. If Keith had just missed one day, he should have known not to leave him with his abusive ex still around. If he died Keith would never forgive himself. Pidge was comforting Hunk who was a puddle of tears still. The police were out looking for Shiro and Keith swore if he ever met this guy he would kill him. Keith saw a doctor approaching and stood up unable to read his face to see if it were good or bad news.
"Anyone for Lance McClain?" He called and the three walked up to him.
"How is he? Is he okay?" Pidge asked pushing up her glasses out of a nervous habit.
"He's fine. Bruises and concussions only. Physically he will recover but whatever, whoever, did this will take more than a hospital stay to fix. I called in our psychiatrist to talk with him to help start the process. You can see him, right this way." The doctor lead all three of them to the ICU and showed him to his room.
"Go slow, he's still groggy from the anesthesia." Keith was the first to walk in and his heart hurt seeing Lance in this state. Lance looked over and smiled a bit seeing them.
"Guys.." He croaked his voice still sore. They surrounded his bed exclaiming how glad they were to see him and that he was okay. Keith reached out to put a comforting hand on his shoulder but Lance flinched away.
"Don't touch me.. please" He said seeing the hurt in Keith's eyes making him sad to have caused it. Keith stepped back feeling stupid for not even thinking.
"I'm sorry." Lance said but Keith smiled.
"It's okay Lance..I'm so glad you're okay." Lance smiled a bit.
"Is it okay if I sleep? I'm tired." He said softly. The three said goodbyes but Keith was hesitant to leave him.
"He'll be fine" Hunk said but Keith shook his head slightly.
"Last time I left him.." He started but Hunk stopped him.
"This is not your fault Keith." Hunk lead him out leaving Lance alone. Lance couldn't get the feeling of hands gripped on his neck out of his head. No matter how deep he breathed he still felt like he was under the water. His chest tightened and he couldn't breath. He reached over pressing the call button repeatedly gasping for air. Nurses rushed in and were instantly covering his mouth with an oxygen mask.
"Mr. McClain, Breath. Deep breaths. You're hyperventilating. Just breath" One instructed trying to calm his breathing. Lance gasped into the mask trying to fill his lungs as full as possible but they felt so tight. A hand rubbed his back gently helping a bit. After a few rough minutes he was calm enough he could breath properly.
"That's it. Just breath" She said softly Lance wasn't sure how he was going to get through this. Every time he closed his eyes everything that happened came rushing back.